Jung seeks Centre's view on Jan Lokpal Bill issue

New Delhi: Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday sought the Centre's view on the constitutional position whether the AAP government can introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill without prior clearance as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal renewed his threat to quit and remained defiant on the issue.

Kejriwal, who is keen on pushing the bill through the assembly without going to the Centre first, met Jung and discussed the issue.

After the meeting, the Raj Niwas issued a long statement in which it said that to avoid any dispute in the matter and to obtain full clarity, the Jan Lokpal issue has been referred to the Law Ministry for a "final opinion".

However, the statement contradicted the contention of the Chief Minister who had in his letter to Lt Governor insisted that there was no need for prior central clearance.

It said Jung has written a reply to Kejriwal's letter to him on Friday in which it was highlighted that as per Rule 34 of the Transaction of Business of the Government of NCT of Delhi Rules, 1993, any such draft bill should have been sent to him ahead of placing it before the Council of Ministers which was not done.

A defiant Kejriwal said he has not taken oath to uphold Home Minister's "unconstitutional order" and will not send the bill to Centre.

"We will protect the Constitution. Our souls do not allow us to follow unconstitutional order," he said, adding he was ready to make any "sacrifice" for fighting for the autonomy of Delhi Assembly and people.

Jung had further written that the legal reality is that the Delhi government is bound by the Government of NCT of Delhi Act, 1991 and the TBR Rules.

"Therefore, irrespective of whether the Delhi Cabinet appreciates this or not, the position would remain the same unless challenged in an appropriate forum," the LG's office said.